Author: Lee Relph

OVFM Club Meeting Tuesday September 15th 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

 

SHOW US YOUR FILMS!

It’s a special project evening for this meeting because there is no special project theme!

Don’t worry – it’s not that confusing. Our committee (aka The Legion Of Doom) have been concerned that the filmmaking output of the club members has dwindled somewhat recently, with the same few people submitting films for the project evenings and competitions. Similarly newer club members have yet to show their hands either. To be honest I have been with the club for five years now and there are some people I don’t think I have ever seen submit a film.

So, we have put aside this evening in the annual calendar to have a sort of “open night” for club members who are too bashful or lacking in confidence to enter the Top 10, or have yet to find a project to inspire them, to show whatever films they have to the rest of the club.

If the thought of your film being judged by your peers with the potential for criticism sounds off putting for a neophyte filmmaker the idea is that we simply remove that pressure from the equation. That way, if you want constructive feedback for your film but don’t want to be judged then this is the perfect opportunity for you to be advised without risking anything in the process.

There is also a second agenda for this evening as we welcome the results from the recent “Film In An Evening” session we had a few meetings back. The attending members were split up into two groups and two films were shot. The raw material was then distributed among club members to edit as they see fit and we hope to screen those edits in the second part of this session.

So, if you have an edit for us or you have any film you wish to share with us (between 5-10 minutes maximum), this coming Tuesday is your opportunity to do so. Please let us know by replying to this post below if you are bringing a film along with the format, run time and picture ratio information.

Thanks for reading and see you on Tuesday!

OVFM Club Meeting Tuesday September 1st 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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Colin “Colin” Jones is celebrating his 50th Anniversary as a member of OVFM, that’s half a century! Normally I would make a quip about how that is longer than most of us have been alive, but unfortunately that only really applies to about three of us in the club!

When Colin joined the club in 1965 life was still in black and white and OVFM was known as the Orpington Cine Society (OCS). During his time with the club Colin has seen many changes including the club name: following OCS, there were a number of name changes including Society for Orpington Cine Enthusiasts, Orpington Cine Camera Club, Cine Film Lovers Of Orpington, Orpington’s Super 8 Super Film Club, Super 8 & Video Film Makers Of Orpington, Orpington Embraces Video, Film Makers & Video Lovers in Orpington, Barry Manilow and finally Orpington Video & film Makers.

Ironically while the world has changed over the years, Colin hasn’t. He still has his milk delivered, he still writes letters, he still has a rotary telephone and while many of you are reading this on your mobile phones, iPads, laptops or PCs, chances are Colin is reading this on his typewriter.

There are a number of reasons why Colin has remained a fixture of the club, the most obvious being that no-one else would have him – not even on a part exchange deal with a 1981 Ford Cortina and jar of peanuts. But maybe that is OVFM’s gain as we’ve had the benefit of his years of experience in filmmaking and of course his extensive catalogue of films.

Ranging from animations to comedies, dramas and local interest and holiday films to keep us in touch with the Orpington of the past (in other words, reminding the older club members what they looked like with hair – and that goes for the men too!) Colin has dipped his toe in many waters over the years (sadly not filmed) and is never short of an idea or film when it comes to entering our regular competitions and project evenings.

So, join Colin this Tuesday for a look through some of the films from his colossal archive in celebration of this landmark anniversary, give him a pat on the back and enjoy a slice of cake which I doubt anyone has thought of getting but will have to now I’ve suggested it!

Happy 50th Anniversary Colin!

OVFM Autumn Film Show 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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OVFM Autumn Film Show 2015

One of the most important dates in the OVFM calendar is our annual Autumn Show where we share the fruits of our labours from a year of busy filmmaking, along with some gems from our archive with the public. As the nights are getting darker and colder you’ll need something to brighten them up so why not join us for another evening of films from the very best local amatuer filmmaking talent.

This year’s event will take place on  FRIDAY 16th OCTOBER at 7:00 for 7.30 pm

VENUE –  Methodist Church, 19 Sevenoaks Road, Orpington BR6 9JH

DIRECTIONS – GOOGLE MAP

WEBSITE – http://www.orpingtonmethodist.org.uk/welcome.htm

Club members get in free but for guests and non-members the tickets are £5 – which includes refreshments – and are available by making a request via e-mail at info@ovfm.org.uk or by telephone on 01689 837730 or 01689 813616. Don’t leave it too late as they tend to get snapped up very quickly!

And of course there is our famous raffle where a selection of wonderful prizes are up for grabs provided you have that all important winning ticket!

If any OVFM club members or our external friends wish to help publicise this event please download a printable version of the poster HERE

And if you want sample of what to expect here is a little teaser about one of the main features of the programme “Orpington Remembered”:

For an entertaining and sociable evening do join us on October 16th and bring along your friends and family!

See you then!

OVFM Club Meeting Tuesday August 18th 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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This week’s club meeting is the third round of the annual Top Ten Competition. For the results of the first two rounds please click HERE.

We’ve had a total of eight films thus far across the first two rounds so once again the challenge is to top that total, although we do understand the maxim of “quality over quantity”. Will we see it happen with the contributions from the following club member who have been selected for this round?

 

Andy & Marian Watson

John Alford

Malcolm Goodwin

Charlie & Nellie Caseley

Richard & Jess Pugh

Mike & Jo Coad

Pat Palmer

 

As ever if you can’t make your designated round be sure to let Brenda know ahead of time or you have a film ready early, please bring it along as chances are it will be welcomed for screening time permitting.

And if you are bringing a film this week then PLEASE reply to this post in the comments/reply section below, letting us know the film’s run time, format (DVD, Mini DV) and picture ratio (4:3 or 16:9). This is a great help for us when planning the evening out and helping things run smoothly so if you could do us this courtesy it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and good luck to everyone who enters a film!

Kent Film Festival 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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KENT FILM FESTIVAL 2015

The annual Kent Film Festival will soon be upon us, taking place on Saturday 26th September 2015 at Canterbury Christ Church University, with doors opening at 10:30am.

OVFM has had a far amount of success at the KFF over the years, our last big win occurring in 2013 while we had a good showing last year, so as ever, this is a great opportunity to not only support OVFM on the day but to maybe also if you’ve entered a film, you could be contributing directly to whatever success we may achieve.

Tickets are on sale from Ian Menage (you know where to find his contact details) – £5.00 for advance bookings/ £7.50 on the door (£3 for students) – while all additional info you need, such as directions to the venue etc. can be found on the KFF website HERE.

Good luck to all who have entered a film on behalf of OVFM.

OVFM Ramble 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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It’s back!

After a break last year when we went to the Bond Museum in London for the club’s annual outing the club ramble returns to give our members its yearly dose of physical exercise.

This time the ramble is being organised by Colin “Colin” Jones, taking over the reins from our chairman Simon” Snapper” Earwicker who has earned a break after his many years of lead rambler!

Weather permitting – it is summer after all – the suggested date is Sunday August 23rd and the itinerary Colin has laid out is thus:

Everyone meets at Colin’s house (address is in the Members’ Section – make sure you are logged into see this page) then carpool to the village of Leigh, approximately 20 minutes away (or much less if you ignore the speed restriction signs). The walk will be a circular one (square walks are SO 2014) of about four and half miles to Penhurst Village, where you’ll spot for lunch and a drink in the local hostelry (just the one mind – Colin’s rules, not mine) then womble off back to Leigh where you cars should still be there waiting for you.

If that sounds like your idea of fun then do please get in touch with Colin or leave a message in reply to this post and state your intention to join in the return of the OVFM Ramble. We have one more club meeting on the 18th of August before this event so you have time to discuss the matter with Colin or other club members should you need to.

Have fun those who attend!

OVFM Club Meeting Tuesday August 4th 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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The highlight of the summer for many in OVFM is getting away from this dreary country of ours and experiencing the delights and wonders of other societies where the sun is likely to be on display for more than a few minutes and the company is usually pleasant and welcoming.

Those who choose to stay behind have to pay for their sins by attending the annual OVFM Garden Party!

Playing the role of host this year is club treasurer David “Off-Shore Account” Laker and his diamond encrusted wife Carole, whose address can be found in the Member’s Only section of this site (so be sure you are logged in to see it).

As ever, because the weather can never make up its bloody mind, attendees are requested to descend upon Chez Laker at 7:00pm for 7:15pm start. This is to ensure that meals are eaten while it is still light and the air is pleasant and breezy. If you arrive late you will be locked out and have to eat the grass on the verge instead.

Speaking of which, David asks that no-one park their cars on said verge as somebody once did in 1968 and the planets in our solar system fell out of alignment for three hours. Obviously we don’t want that happening again so please bear this in mind if you are arriving by car.

Since David is only providing the location, you are advised to bring your own plates, cutlery, glasses, condiments, drinks, chairs, tables, hesitation, repetition, deviation and repetition. Coffee and tea will be served as per normal but it is up to you if you drink it or not.

By now you should have all submitted your choice of meal via the form Freddy passed round at the last few club meetings. If you didn’t attend those meetings then you wouldn’t have seen the form thus this paragraph is irrelevant to you.

As host David is also obliged to provide some form of entertainment to liven things up a little bit. Two year ago David hosted a table tennis tournament which garnered quite a response from club members, but despite that, it is rumoured he is bringing it back again this year! Alongside this, other party games will be wheeled out for your amusement including Naked Twister, Pin The Tail On The Warthog, Hide And Seek And Destroy, Five-A-Side Kerplunk, British Bullfrog and Knock Up Ginger (Biggles Edition).

OVFM Garden Parties are a unique experience it has been said, least of all by those who attend them but don’t take my word for it, just ask the SAS who are on call every year exclusively to deal with the rowdiness that ensues at one of our get-togethers.

You have been warned!

OVFM Club Meeting Tuesday July 21st 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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And so we arrive at the second round of this year’s Top Ten competition.

We had just four films in the first round – the results of which the first can be found HERE so the challenge is to see if we can top that total this week.

The club members who have been selected to submit a film for this round are as follows:

 

Mike Graham

Freddy Beard

Lee Relph

Brenda & Roger Wheatley

Pamela Webb

Peter Mitchell

John Bunce

Cherie Hamlet Smith

 

As ever if you can’t make your designated round be sure to let Brenda know ahead of time or you have a film ready early, please bring it along as chances are it will be welcomed for screening time permitting.

And if you are bringing a film this week then PLEASE reply to this post in the comments/reply section below, letting us know the film’s run time, format (DVD, Mini DV) and picture ratio (4:3 or 16:9). This is a great help for us when planning the evening out and helping things run smoothly so if you could do us this courtesy it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and good luck to everyone who enters a film!

OVFM Top 10 Competition 2015 Results

Posted on by Lee Relph

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OVFM Top 10 Competition 2015 Results

 

Here are the ongoing results of the 2015 Top Ten Competition!

 

Round One – Held June 9th 2015

1. “30 Years of Caring” by John & Ann Epton    55.40

2. “Leaf Cutter Ants” by David Laker    53.00

3. “Central Park New York” by Jim Morton Robertson    49.04

4. “Our Memorable Trip To London” by Barbara Darby    49.00

 

Round Two – Held July 21st 2015

1. “Table Top Whimsy” by John Bunce    55.96

2. “Makeover At St Martins” by Hugh Darrington    47.78

3. “A Fine Romance” by Basil Doody    46.52

4. “Validation” by Colin Jones & John Epton   42.26

 

Round Three – Held on August 18th 2015

1. “Rhapsody In Blue” by Pat Palmer    42.83

 

Round Four – Held September 29th 2015

1. “A Day In The Life Of Kieran Jones” by Lee Relph    57.05

2. “Backlight Revisited” by Reg Lancaster    48.67

3. “Pirates” by Sam Brown    44.43

4. “Cruising Down The River” by Bob Wyeth    43.55

5. “Syria” by John Greengrass    34.24

 

Round Five – Held on October 27th 2015

1. “Commute” by Barbara Walker    57.41

2. “Lie Back” by Mike Shaw    53.46

3. “Yellowstone” by Brian Pfeiffer   51.46

4. “Broken” by Bob Vine    50.69

5. “Dogs Training” by Tony Keeble   48.72

6. “Bringing The Dream To Life” by Simon Earwicker    48.04

7. “Kitty Christmas” by Anna Littler    47.68

 

So, if my maths is correct the Top Ten finalists are:

 

“Commute” by Barbara Walker

“A Day In The Life Of Kieran Jones” by Lee Relph

“Table Top Whimsy” by John Bunce

“30 Years of Caring” by John & Ann Epton

“Lie Back” by Mike Shaw

“Leaf Cutter Ants” by David Laker

“Yellowstone” by Brian Pfeiffer

“Broken” by Bob Vine

“Central Park New York” by Jim Morton Robertson

“Our Memorable Trip To London” by Barbara Darby

 

Congratulations to those ten. The final takes place on January 5th 2016 and the winner will be announced at the Oscars on March 15th 2016.

OVFM Club Meeting Tuesday July 7th 2015

Posted on by Lee Relph

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You may recall a while back we gave notice about the next project theme of Park (full details can be found HERE) and now the time has come to for you share with us the fruits of your labours!

As with all of our themes for special projects such as this, we like to make them as nebulous and open to wide interpretation as possible, and if past projects are any indication, this is an area in which OVFM certainly excels! “Park” shouldn’t be any different so anticipation is high as to what diverse gems you have either dreamt up for this topic, or have pulled from your vast archive of films.

As planning and time management is vital to our club meetings we again ask if you could oblige us by please replying to this post below if you are bringing a film, letting us now the runtime, picture ratio and format. It is of tremendous help to have this information ahead of time.

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing your films on Tuesday! 🙂